LASR Anniversary: Elia Winters – Guest Blog and Giveaway

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Yes, I Am Wearing That.

Summer is a time of year when those of us with body issues feel especially vulnerable. There’s no hiding under bulky winter layers or blaming the holidays for our perceived flaws. The media knows it: while I write this sentence, there’s another commercial about weight loss on the television. Grocery store tabloids are in an orgasmic frenzy of body shaming, loaded with photos of celebrities daring to show their unphotoshopped bikini bodies at the beach, side by side with articles about “loving yourself, now!” – lip service contradicted by every other page of the magazine.

I’m not buying into it anymore. Over the past few years, I’ve been working on loving myself exactly as I am, which is about as much of a struggle for me as it probably is for everyone else. One huge step forward is to wear the clothing I love. I’m wearing skirts and tank tops and bathing suits, and I’m not hiding from photographs. I tell myself I need to care for my body as-is because it cares for me every day.

As I started the “body positivity” journey, I realized that in my own insecurity, I was critical of others as well. I’m not proud of this, but I judged people all the time for daring to wear revealing or snug-fitting clothing, especially if they had a body type like mine. How horrible is that? I was so uncomfortable in my own skin that I projected those issues onto others. As I’ve learned to love myself, I’ve learned that my issues are mine, and everyone should wear what they want to wear. We need to celebrate each other and stop tearing each other down.

I’ve been body positivity recently in my books. Two of my upcoming texts, Combustion and Playing Knotty, both have characters with nontraditional body types who know – or learn – that they’re gorgeous and valuable exactly as they are. Loving oneself as-is won’t sell any products, but it’s the only way to be happy. So this summer, I urge you to show skin. Go swimming. Dress in clothes that make you happy, and when you see someone rocking an outrageously awesome style, compliment them. We might just bankrupt an industry devoted to making us hate ourselves.

Columnist Bridget Hartwell agrees to write about BDSM to impress her new executive editor at Sultry, the “sex-positive magazine for sex-positive women.” Unfortunately, it’s a topic she knows absolutely nothing about…but if she ever wants that promotion, she’ll need to learn the ropes, fast.

English professor Max Harlow is active in the Dom/sub scene, but only for casual play—he’s never found his ideal partner: a woman who is his equal, but sexually submissive. When he’s asked to explain the lifestyle to his cute but obviously inexperienced neighbor, Max is certain it’s best to approach it academically—to keep things purely professional.

Until Bridget’s first article is a huge hit, giving her the perfect excuse to delve deeper into the naturally submissive side of her sexuality. But as their encounters intensify and each of her boundaries is skillfully pushed, Bridget must decide what this all means… for her identity, her career, and, most importantly, her future with Max.

About the Author: Elia Winters has always been a New England girl, despite having spent much of her childhood in Florida. She holds a degree in English Literature and teaches at a small rural high school where she runs too many extracurricular activities. She balances her love of the outdoors with a bottomless well of geekiness.

Elia dabbles in many genres, but erotic romance has been one of her favorites since she first began sneaking her mother’s romance novels. In high school, she kept her friends entertained with a steady stream of naughty stories and somehow never got caught passing them around. Her erotic fiction and poetry have been published online at Clean Sheets and Scarlet Letters under a different name. Elia currently lives in New England with her loving husband and their odd assortment of pets.

Comments

Body Positivity, I like that! For years I have been overweight and diets failed (honest, it was the diet’s fault) I’ve recently been exercising and watching what I eat – NOT because of how I look (believe it or not, I LIKE myself) but because of health issues. Now that I have decided not to worry about size and other people’s opinions, I AM getting healthier all around. Thanks for a great post.

Thanks so much for the body positivity post, Elia! I love the idea of sex-positive bdsm romance in Purely Professional, and I’d love to win a copy of the book! I’ve always wanted to read more about sexual submission, since I’m naturally submissive like Bridget. I can’t wait to see what happens in Playing Knotty and Combustion. Your sex-positivtiy and acceptance of yourself is a model for us all – you rock!

Love this, thank you & it’s about time! I’d guess that it’s about 90% of us that share your body issues despite actually being quite healthy. We need to let go of the shame and choose happiness, if not for ourselves, then for our daughters.

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Review Star Rating Definitions

1 Star – We currently do not review any story with a 1 star rating. If it’s DNF or a “wall-banger” we decline to review.

2 Stars — Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop you reading. Not a wall-banger, but nothing you’d re-read. This is a book you would borrow from the library – not buy- and never check out again. You might recommend it to a friend with a mention of the glitches, knowing that something in the plot or story would still appeal to them regardless.

3 Stars — Good. Mostly enjoyable. You made it through and didn’t consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw you back in and keep you. There’s a chance you’ll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn’t go on your keeper shelf.

4 Stars — Very Good. You’re glad you were the one who got to review the book. You would probably buy it and would definitely recommend it to your friends. You liked the characters and the plot. The writing style was good and the editing clean.

5 Stars — Great! You would definitely buy this book. You would definitely recommend it to your friends. You really loved the characters and the plot and would consider looking for this authors back list or making her an autobuy. The writing and editing were superb.

LASR Best Book – For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you’re not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise – and reserved for only a few.

Review Heat Level Descriptions

SWEET: no visual love scenes and no descriptive kissing;

SENSUAL: Contains a high degree of sexual tension, steamy kisses and passionate clinches, but all fully consummated love scenes will be implied, not described, and with the bedroom door firmly closed.

SPICY: Contains actual love scenes and may include detailed descriptions of foreplay and consummation.

HOT: Contains sizzling and very detailed love scenes throughout and graphic, explicit content which may be offensive to some.

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